Hoping for a change of luck, it was the same old story Thursday night for the Pistons. And for Detroit.
The Pistons moved down from No. 5 to No. 7 in the NBA draft lottery. The club has never moved up in 14 tries in the 35-year history of the lottery.
Detroit was jumped by the Hornets who moved up from No. 8 to No. 3, and the Bulls who moved up from No. 7 to No. 4. The Timberwolves won the No. 1 pick, moving up from No. 3.
The Pistons had a 10.5 percent at the first overall pick and a 31.6 percent chance of picking in the top three. Instead, new general manager Troy Weaver will try to find a franchise-changing player at No. 7.
It's Detroit's highest pick since 2007 when it drafted Greg Monroe seventh overall. The Pistons haven't picked in the top five since drafting Darko Milicic second overall in 2003.
If it makes it sting any less, this year's draft class isn't bursting with talent at the top. Still, combined with the poor luck of the Red Wings in the NHL lottery, it's another tough blow for our city's teams.
The draft will be held Oct. 16.